Abu Dhabi’s Executive Council has granted AED: 1.5bn ($408.4m) to allow a number of new infrastructure projects to progress.
The council meeting, overseen by Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince HH General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, approved projects including infrastructure development work at Khalifa City A, Sheibat Alwath Housing Project and the Zayed City – Ghayyath Highway project.
The council approved a $193.8m package to develop two sites for the Sheibat Alwath Housing Project in Al Ain City. This paves the way for a 28-month programme of building that will include road building, the installation of electricity, sewerage, telecoms and rain water networks, as well as landscaping.
The housing project will eventually provide 1,580 villas for UAE nationals. A further $107.8m has been provided to develop infrastructure at Khalifa City A, including new street lighting, pavements, drainage imporivements and water pumping stations.
The Department for Transport has also been instructed to complete a $72.8m contract to build a dual-lane highway improving access to the Western Province through construction of a road linking Zayed City to Ghayathi. The contract will include the building of new roundabouts and intersections, with solar powered lighting installed along the route.
A sum of $47.6m has also been made available for a new main bus depot in Abu Dhabi at Khalifa City A. It will be able to accommodate around 480 buses and have a maintenance workshop for 550 buses as well as fuelling and washing facilities.
The council also gave the green light to the costing of contracts for the cultural institutions being built at Saadiyat Island. An Arabtec-led consortium has already started Work on the $653m contract to build the Louvre Abu Dhabim but costings of contracts for the Sheikh Zayed National Museum (set to open in 2016) and the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi (2017) were also agreed.
A statement from the executive council’s general secretariat said: “These cultural projects are expected to be completed within the coming five years, placing Abu Dhabi on the world tourism map.
“Such places of interest will further develop Abu Dhabi as a desirable destination already widely known for its entertainment, conference and business tourism facilities.”